South Carolina women's basketball: Chloe Kitts to miss season

South Carolina senior forward Chloe Kitts will miss the 2025-26 season with a torn right ACL.

On October 5, Kitts attended South Carolina volleyball’s match against Georgia with several of her teammates and was seen with crutches and wearing a large brace on her knee. At that time, the team had no update on her status.

Kitts and the Gamecocks officially announced her injury on Monday and revealed she will have surgery this week.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!

South Carolina is now without two expected forwards due to knee injuries. In January, the Gamecocks lost Ashlyn Watkins to a torn ACL, and Watkins chose to sit out the upcoming season to focus on rehab. South Carolina is down to 10 healthy players.

Before the injury, Kitts was a projected first-round 2026 WNBA Draft pick. Her versatility and shooting ability were expected to be key factors in South Carolina’s crowded and talented frontcourt. 

Last season, Kitts averaged 10.2 points, a team-high 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. By the end of the season, she was one of South Carolina’s best players, leading the Gamecocks to another SEC Tournament championship and Final Four appearance. 

STORY: How will the Gamecocks overcome the loss of Chloe Kitts?

Kitts recorded a 16-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double at Ole Miss, and was named the SEC Tournament and NCAA Birmingham Regional MVP. She was also voted an honorable mention All-American by the AP and USBWA.

The Gamecocks return forward Joyce Edwards, who was South Carolina’s leading scorer last season and earned first-team All-SEC and honorable mention All-America honors. Maryam Dauda and Adhel Tac were highly touted pickups who had disappointing seasons last year. Dawn Staley said both had strong summers and they are expected to be more productive in their second seasons in garnet and black.

South Carolina added Mississippi State transfer Madina Okot in the offseason. The 6-6 Kenyan averaged 11.2 points and 9.6 rebounds last season and was one of the most coveted players in the portal.

Initially a member of the 2023 class, Kitts enrolled early and joined the Gamecocks in December of 2022. She made a splash in her first game against Charleston Southern, recording 10 points and seven rebounds. 

Kitts played sparingly the rest of her freshman season, but emerged as the starting forward as a sophomore. She averaged 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds and recorded a double-double in the national championship game win over Iowa.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!